DIY orb light pendant
June 11, 2012
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I had a light installed over my DIY craft table in the basement so I could have some task lighting when I needed it.
I’ve been trying to think of something fun and funky and that I could DIY to put over it, and I found my inspiration in this Ballard Designs orb light.
But yeah, the small version is $400 – I don’t need a $400 light hanging over the craft table. :)
Thing is, I wanted something a little more funky and less pretty anyway. I’m going in a kind of cool, slightly industrial look for the basement and this one doesn’t really fit.
So I came up with a different version that was a lot cheaper and is a little more rustic.
I had gathered my supplies weeks ago, and they really only consisted of embroidery hoops. I got the two biggest sizes I could find – from Michael's and Hobby Lobby. I drilled two holes in each one:
The holes are directly across from each other, you’ll see why in a minute. And forgive the pics – they were taken at night with my cell. :)
I should mention I used the inside part of the embroidery hoops, without the hardware on them.
I matched up the holes and created an “orb” shape:
Then I realized it looked more like a pumpkin than the look I was going for – so I put the smaller embroidery hoops I had together in the same way. I put that one orb inside the bigger one and then hunted down a couple long screws to secure them together on both sides:
When I was done I had used five large hoops and four small ones to create my orb:
My vision was coming together. :)
Next I installed the light fixture kit I found at World Market a few weeks ago:
It was $12 and it came in a silver finish, so I spray painted it an oil rubbed bronze (ORB) color and then the hoop contraption ORB as well.
My orb is ORB. Har! (Oh it was begging for it.)
A first I was trying to find an old brass chandelier to put in the middle of it like the Ballard version, but I couldn’t find one and figured in the end I wanted it a little funkier anyway, so I found one of those Edison bulbs at Lowes and my funky, rustic orb light fixture was complete:
Initially I stared at it for what felt like hours to figure out how to get the cord attached to the hoops. I finally decided I was way over thinking it and just sat a couple of the hoops on the actual fixture:
I’d like to have it hang into the center a bit more, but until brilliance strikes I’m happy with how this looks!
You can see it here a bit better:
The fixture doesn’t get hot and the hoops don’t move unless I move them, so it will be fine just as is.
I gotta say, I’m in love with it! I think it’s totally hip and cool and I LOVE the side views:
Isn’t that pretty?
It gives of plenty of light, and the bulb is more of a pretty, subdued light:
I’m hoping the cord straightens out cause that is driving me a little batty, but I know with time it will:
You can see we’ve had a bit more progress with the basement – we have (some) doors. Just a few, cause a couple are on special order. More on that soon.
It’s so funny how a couple doors can make the space feel so finished though – every little update we make feels HUGE.
So my orb ORB light (OK, that never gets old…for me) that measures about 14 inches around was $23 bucks – it’s about ten inches smaller than the Ballard version, but that one was too big for this spot anyway. And at $23 instead of $400, well, I’ll take it. :)
And if I ever feel like changing it out, which is not unusual around here, it won’t be a big deal. I think the orb is cool just on it’s own as an accessory too – I could see it on display somewhere. I dig it!
I like it!
ReplyDeleteThis is AWESOME!!!! You really did an awesome job. So creative! Thank you for sharing, I am a HUGE fan of your blog!!
ReplyDelete-Kylie
Absolutelyarkansas.blogspot.com
Your a DIY queen! I love this funky look, its great!
ReplyDeleteSo funky and fun! I like it!
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome! What a great look!
ReplyDeleteOh my word!! Do you know I was in Joann Fabrics today and saw these little round quilting thingys (I don't quilt) and thought, 'oh those are cute, wonder what I could do with those!" and here is your post! :) Nicely done and it looks good to. Way better than $400!!
ReplyDeleteThat turned out really cute but I gotta ask you what do you think about the Edison light bulb. I have one and don't like that it is so yellow.
ReplyDeleteNow aren't YOU clever!!
ReplyDeleteI love your ideas! I'm not very crafty and have a new home full of areas that need work. Thank you for posting and for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteLove it! This gives me some ideas for making some hanging lights/lamps for either side of our bed.
ReplyDeleteYou did such a great job! I would have not have thought about a light from those, although I have used quilting hoops for other projects.
ReplyDeleteI don't think you would have liked the little candlelabra lights of the other one above your craft area anyway, they are kind of dim.
Triple like! I even like the wonky cord!
ReplyDeleteGreat job!
LOVE!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! i would have never guessed, embroidery hoops!
ReplyDeletehttp://coloradobagzembellished.blogspot.com/
Hope your little guy is feeling better. Great DIY lamp! You're not Thrifty Decor Chic for nothing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great knock off! Actually like it better than the Ballard Designs one, loooove the Edison bulb. Great job!
ReplyDeleteXO, Barbara
http://chase-thestar.blogspot.com/
How neat. You continue to inspire me.
ReplyDeleteI'm so impressed! It's beautiful. You are so clever. xo wendy
ReplyDeleteLove it, Sarah!!! The edison bulb adds a fun touch. It looks great!
ReplyDeleteWOW! That is really impressive! I have always wanted to "invent" my own light fixture. With the light kits that are available it seems like it would be pretty easy. I love how you put the embroidery hoops together! Nice job!
ReplyDeleteSo first, I love this!!!
ReplyDeleteSecond, I was looking at your light, and I don't know if its possible with wiring and all....but could you maybe put a inconspicuous ORB (te hehe) painted screw in your base, then run a small wire (wrapped around the cord to make the cord look kind of funky too) down to attach to your orb...then you could hang it the length you need to get the light in the center? Maybe two wires twisted, then run around the outside edge of the orb and attached to the bolts?
Just a thought. :)
It turned out great! Love the look and color!
ReplyDeleteSo creative!
ReplyDeleteYou are one smart cookie. Your ORB orb (couldn't resist) looks great, and the price is definitely right!
ReplyDeleteHope your little guy is all well now! We hate it when they're sick, but then again it's nice for them to need us and to want to be held and petted, isn't it? :)
Sweet! I love that idea, it came out great, I love the side views too :-)
ReplyDeleteWOW...what a fantastic idea! I love the price of this lamp. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's amazing. I think it looks awesome! Nice job.
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome DIY! It looks totally store bought, which is what everyone hopes for with DIY projects anyway, right? So creative :)
ReplyDeleteSo Adorable! I have a real version in my living room and now I feel silly having paid so much! I have seen this done with hulahoops too if you need it really big. Great job!
ReplyDeletei love this! you did a great job!
ReplyDeleteOooOOOoooh...GREAT idea! Who would have thought? YOU!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this!!! So creative!
ReplyDeleteThat is absolutely GORGEOUS. I love it. You did a wonderful job.
ReplyDeleteI love the orb light! Great post!!! Stop by and say hello at http://mashabakescupcakes.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteI love this! You are so talented! Thanks for sharing, I am not crafty but I am going to try this.
ReplyDeleteHave a great day, Elizabeth
Wow - I like it better than the one you got inspiration from!! Awesome!
ReplyDeleteReally neat project! Our family room is so full of straight lines, and I've been looking for a way to introduce curves but there's no more room for furniture. You've given me a great solution: look up! Something like this would be perfect over my end of the sofa, since I sit there reading quite a bit. Well, I try to read... I haven't had a decent source of light. This inexpensive project is just what I needed, and I'm excited that the cool sides will show when we walk into the room. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis is great! I have used these ceiling light kits before and it usually straightens out over time with some weight pulling it down. Your fixture may be a bit light, so consider clipping some clamps or other added weight for a few days.
ReplyDeleteI think it needs an "equator."
ReplyDeleteI love your ORB orb - much prettier than the $400.00 fixture. It is completely original. If I saw something like it in a store, I know I would immediately develop a sudden NEED for new lighting somewhere in my house. Thanks for the post!!!
ReplyDeleteHello
ReplyDeleteThe content article has actually peak my interest. I appreciate your post for actually opening my mind.
I love how you have a vision and make it happen! It is a great light!
ReplyDeleteBarb
You did a great job! I've seen that Ballard's light and fell in love with it. Working now with guy at work who welds to see if we can come up with a "version"! Thanks to you, I'll be looking at strips of non-metal stuff which just didn't occur to me! Thanks for the new direction!
ReplyDeleteCiao!
Guerrina
Awesome! I love it and I love the ORB color. Could you use fishing line to suspend the light in the middle from the screws either side? Just a thought... Either way, it looks great!
ReplyDeleteI love this. I think someone mentioned it already, but I think if you spray painted some hanging wire (like for hanging pictures) black, and did a little criss-cross action with it, wrapping it around one of the circles and around the wire, you could hold the orb in place in on the wire, making the bulb hang where you want it. Does that make sense?
ReplyDeleteAnyway, it looks great as is. I hope your fella feels better!
How about using some small cup hooks and fishing line to suspend it from the ceiling around the light? Could paint the hooks to match the ceiling (I think it would take 4 hooks to hang the ORB (ha!) level). Hope that works!
ReplyDeleteYou rock! I have an idea that spun off of yours....I will try to follow through and update you.
ReplyDeleteLove it! That is one of the coolest DIY projects I've seen in a long time! Very creative, and the end look is awesome. I have to try it!
ReplyDeleteThis is a very cool idea, and I love the Edison bulb you've set into it. What a great project!!!
ReplyDeleteYou rock!! It should be illegal to be soooo creative!!! Love your ideas!
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! I might have to do this in my new house! It's stunning!
ReplyDeleteWOW absolutely awesome! I am kicking myself for getting rid of the gold chandelier the previous owners left at my house, I so could have spray painted that and added the wooden loops. You are so creative, I am going to search for a cheap light fixture so I can do this too!
ReplyDeleteLove this idea! You make it look so easy. Gonna try it!!! Keep pumping out the awesome DIY projects:)
ReplyDelete